Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.